Intel is strengthening its presence in China with plans for an innovation center in the city of Shenzhen, as well as a $100 million fund focused on the development of smart devices in China, including two-in-ones, tablets, smartphones, wearables, and the Internet of Things among other technologies.
Intel CEO Brian Krzanich announced the two initiatives today at the company’s developer forum in Shenzhen (as first spotted by CNET).
The innovation center will focus on expanding Intel’s work beyond tablets — seeking to provide local manufacturers and software developers with access to Intel technology platforms and giving them support such as development tools and supply chain sourcing. Intel essentially wants to be the “bridge between product conception and commercial deployment.”
This movement will be supported by the new investment fund, which will see Intel become more active in working with local Chinese companies. Krzanich revealed that since 1998, Intel Capital has invested more than $670 million in 110 companies in China across two funds.
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Meanwhile, in terms of mobile, Intel is also keen on providing a “growing share” of 4G chipsets in China. Krzanich says that its Intel XMM 7260 meets the five-mode requirement of the world’s largest carrier China Mobile, including support for its TD-LTE standard, as well as the TD-SCDMA protocols required in China. It is now taking steps to certify the XMM 7260, which is scheduled to ship in the second half of 2014.
At the forum, Krzanich also gave a glimpse of new products and technologies Intel will start rolling out this year, including Intel Edison, a computing platform that was started in the company’s China research labs. He announced the availability of the Intel Gateway Solutions for the Internet of Things sector, and demonstrated SoFIA — a new integrated Atom processor and communications solution for entry-level smartphones and tablets.
Headline image via Justin Sullivan/Getty Images
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